James j



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES J. FLINT, OE DENVER, COLORADO, ASSIGNOR TO FLINT dr LOMAX,

' OF SAME PLACE.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 600,1 12, dated March 1, 189.8.

I Application filed February 16, 1897. l Serial No. 623,912. (No model.)

' and I do declare the following to be a full,

clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled inthe art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the gures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in electric switches, my object being to produce a device of this class which shall be simple in construction and reliable, durable, and efficient in use. v

To these ends the improvements consist of the features hereinafter described and claimed, all of which will be fully understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof.

In the drawings, Figure l is an underneath view of the device with the porcelain case removed. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the device. Fig. 3 is a cross-section of the same.

Similar reference characters indicating corresponding parts in the views let the numeral 5 designate the base, which is composed of porcelain or other suitable insulating material. To this base is attached a capplate 6, apertured to allow the push-buttons 7 to protrude. The base 5 is recessed, as shown at 8, to permit the movement of the push-buttons, whose stems are surrounded by coil-springs 9.

To the base-plate is attached an angulardevice l0, forming a support for the operating parts of the switch. This device has an arm 10a engaging the base, and an arm 10c projecting outward therefrom and at right angles thereto.l It is formed double, and between the parallel members of the part 10Gis located the lever-arm 12, fulcrumed on a pin 13. This lever-arm is composed of copper or other suitable material, forming a good conductor for the electric current. The circuit is made and broken through the instrumentality of this lever-arm, which is adapted to engage suitable contacts 14,which are secured to the base 5 by the binding-posts 15, from i The opposite extremity of the keeper 2O is provided with a lip or projection 20C, to which is attached one extremity of a coil-spring 22, whose opposite extremity is connected with a pin 23, mounted on the arm 10 ofl the device 10. The tension of this spring is such tightly together. A cap 24 is secured to the extremity of the part 10c by the pin 23. This cap has a threaded aperture adapted to receive a screw 25, which passes through an aperture formed in the easing 26 and holds the latter in place. This casing incloses the operating parts of the switch mechanism and is composed of porcelain or some other insulating material. It is provided with apertures adjacent the binding posts 15 and Athrough which the conductors 16 pass.

The arrangement of the parts is such that as the lever-arm is actuated its roller extremity passes either above or below the center of the roller 19. Hence the spring-held keeper maintains the said arm securely in place. After the center of the roller 18 has passed either above or below the center of the roller 19 the spring-actuated keeper automatically forces the lever-arm to its limit of movement in the one direction or the. other, as the case may be. The said arm is therefore sure to make a perfect electrical connection between the contacts 14. The outer extremities of these contacts are bent outwardly to receive the circuit-closing arm, while the latter is formed wedge-shaped to facilitate or insure that the two rollers 18 and 19 are pressed IOO the perfect performance of the circuit-makin g function of the parts.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim isl. In an electrical switch, the combination with an insulating-base, a cap-plate and pushbuttons, of a lever-like circuit-closing arm adapted to be actuated by the push-buttons, a support attached to the base and upon which said arm is fulcrumed, a roller attached to one extremity of said arm, a keeper also pivoted on said support andlocated adjacent the roller extremity of the arm, said keeper carrying a roller adapted to engage the roller of the said arm, a coil-spring connecting the keeper with the stationary support, and 'suitable contacts which the circuit-closing arm is adapted to bridge. y 2. In an electric switch, the combination with an insulating-base, a cap-plate and pushbuttons, of an angular support attached to the base and comprising two arms 10 and 10c, the latter projecting upwardly from the base at a suitable angle, While the part l0 extends parallel with the base and engages the same, the lever-like circuit-closing arm fulcrumed on the arm l0c of the support and adapted to be actuated by the push-buttons, said arm carrying a roller at one extremity, two separated contacts Which the opposite extremity of the lever engages, a keeper pivoted on the part l0a of the support and carrying a roller engaging the roller of the lever-arm, and a spring connecting the outer extremity of the keeper with the outer extremity of the part 10C of the support.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JAMES J. FLINT. Witnesses:

G. J. ROLLANDET, ALFRED J. OBRIEN. 

